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Debate with Ethiomedia’s editor a good beginning

Posted on , Updated on by EthiopianReview.com

By Elias Kifle

I am encouraged by the positive feedback I am getting from many people who attended my debate with Ethiomedia’s editor Abraha Belai Saturday in Qale Ethiopia’s Paltalk room, which was attended by some 400 people Saturday. The following is one of the many comments I have received:

Dear Abraha and Elias:

As luck had it, I listened to your insightful debate over Qale Paltalk yesterday.

I salute you for taking the initiative to debate and the civility with which you conducted it. Thank you also for responding to the popular call for unity by declaring your plan to organize a conference for Ethiopian journalists to get together and advance your common cause.

You are right, media matters and I am sure you can make a difference!

Thank you again and have a great day!

“Zare Tibibir, Nege Wedidir”

Abate Kassa

Many others expressed similar views as Ato Abate that the discussion was a good beginning since both of us agreed to focus on issues and strategies that we agree on, which, by the way are many.

I am satisfied with Abraha’s position that Woyanne/TPLF as an organization cannot be reformed and thus must be removed.

One of the things Abraha proposed is for all Ethiopian media to come together and jointly organize public forums and town hall meetings where the opposition’s next move is discussed.

I was surprised by the number of people who attended the debate/discussion since a World Cup game was going on that the time.

My approach during the debate was a bit confrontational for some people’s taste while Abraha was polite and avoided confrontation. My view is that Ethiopians need to express their anger and be outspoken in order to overcome the paralyzing inertia that has plagued the anti-Woyanne, pro-democracy camp.

In the end, both Abraha and I agreed to work together for our common goal, i.e., the immediate removal of Woyanne from Ethiopia. As a first step, he put Ethiopian Review’s link back on his site.

34 thoughts on “Debate with Ethiomedia’s editor a good beginning”

  1. Indeed, the link to ethiopianreview.com is back to ethiomedia. That is a good sign itself and hopefully a good beginning. Although I have not listened to the debate because where I am at uses windows player and not real as posted on ethiomedia, the way you summed it up gives some honest glimpse and the journalists up coming conference sounds like a good idea.

  2. Hello Eliayas i listen ur conversation with to abraham it was good. now i undersatad you and abraham.

    Do u think that our unity comes with the help of shabia ? which i think shabi and weyane are the symbol of anti unity .

    we need u for our unity but i advice you do not belive shabia.
    God beless

  3. Dear Abraha and Elias,
    Both of are struggling for FREE PRESS!
    Both of are struggling for Democracy!
    Who is benefting fighting b/n. Abraha & Elias? Woyane!
    Both of you performing outstanding job! Please DON’T open any space to our enemy.
    God Bless Ethiopia!

  4. Yes media plays a greater role in any society depending which group owns ( controls) it, if it was not for Ethiopian media in the country (of course pre 2005 national election) and Diaspora media (until now for sure will continue ) Woyane never been exposed. We know a lot of journalists sacrificed their time their money to their lives to expose tyrannies around the world especially in our country Ethiopia.

    I was listening to the debate while I was watching world cup without audio as the same time, unfortunately I was interrupted with something else which I couldn’t avoid at the time , however until I was able to follow the debate really it was constructive. Since both of your medias plaid and continue to play a big role in the struggle of the Ethiopian people for democracy & good governance such kind of debate between you and other media should take place sooner, you have to be example for our politician to come to gather by resolving minor deference’s through debate and dialog and focus on the big picture, freedom for our society which is also true for both of you. Good binging

    God bless you all & our motherland

  5. Great debate Elias. One thing was clear which wasn’t prior to this debate and it is that the stretagy of Woyanie is to stay in power and would do anything for that. There is nothing more Woyanie afraid of that Shabia. It is I think very clear for all of us. Ato Abraha is defending Woyane by associating the struggle as if woyane and shabia are not enemies. Come on, who is going to buy that. May be ten yeras a go . Typical style of Woyane. Abreha is using rhw feeling of our nationalism to distract us from pressuring Woyane through Shabia. His true color has come out. He is realy talking about the war in 98 and the school that was bombed. If he realy is caring for all of Ethiopia he did not even mention the 200 plus people killed in a broad day light in 05, Gambela, Ogade, Awasa etc…. Abraha is a fraud. We know when we see Woyane. Fool me onece shame on you fool me twice shame on me…

  7. What a joke. You guys are full of shit. Bunch of losers see no hope and have to get together to over throw woyanne. To late, you guys blew it long ago when you could. Now you have no hope and woyanne is thanking you for your contribution. Shabia is on life support. You got no place to go and you have no hope.

  8. I admire the civilized debate held last Sunday between Abraha and Elias. As Elias mentioned it, it is a good start.
    Ethiopians need unity and visionary leaders with love of their people and a country with a big heart of forgiveness and those who are looking at the bigger picture.
    If we are tearing apart each other just because one’s idea is not in par with the other, or if we say “LE ETHIOPIA KE NEM WEDIA LASSAR” then that is the big problem that we have to address. We have to learn to go side by side respecting each others idea and if we reach where we want to be then the people that we love dearly and fought for will judge who is right and who is false. I like the wisdom and maturity of Abraha Belai with the substance that he brought to the table. I also like the agility and vigor of Elias. The field could accommodate all so go for it and let us see many debates like this.

  9. I’m one among the many football lovers but sacrificed it to “the deabate”. Although I’m encouraged to hear the healing process is going to take its course, I have no doubt this process will be to the detriment of the ethno-fascist. I’m also encouraged to hear Elias Kifle as defiant as ever before for the noble cause he stands for. His defiance to this detractors and enemies alike is a real asset. Once again, I salute his resilience and steadfastness.

    Paul the mystic octopus would have picked you as the clear winner of the “great deabate”

  11. Elias & Abrha,

    You guys did an interesting and constructive discussions that is surrounded by many practical goals and clear objective criticisms as I heard your recorded interview even though I missed the actual discussion or debate. This is a very pivotal move not only for two major journalists and political activists but also for many political and civil organizations, political leaders and supporters that are being fighting each other while they have a common ground.

    Once again thank you and I am so happy to hear this as I expect that many other similar discussions will be held among various anti weyane groups to come together and get rid of weyane as soon as possible.

  12. I don’t believe that the conflict between Abrha and Elias is the issue of Birtukan. Abrha hates Shabia more than he hates TPLF, that is the problem. Elias thinks that working with Shabia at the moment may help the struggle against TPLF.
    It is not because Elias loves Shabia, but simply from a stratergic point of view to help the struggle against TPLF. I don’t understand Abrha Belay’s political motive, is it hate of Eritreans (including Meles as an eritrian) or hating the criminal TPLF? I believe that Abrha doesn’t hate TPLF per se, but only Meles co. and Eritreans.

  13. When it comes to Shabia: Elias is progressive, looking forward, whereas Abrha is looking back. Is it our problem that Eritrea is a democracy or not?. If we have a permission to operate in Sudan, do we talk about democracy in Sudan? Is Djibouti a democracy? First of all a democratic country does not allow any rebellion military forces in its soil. It is always a non-democratic country that do such things. Therefore talking about democracy in Eritrea is just a nonsense. What we have to discuss is that, is it helpful or not helful for anti-TPLF struggle to operate from Eritrea.

  15. Mesfin,
    Please wake up! Stop blaming and scape goat Shaebia( Eritrea) for your failures. First liberate yourself from SLAVERY under Woyane and you can talk about Shaebia later.

  16. Come on guys! I salute Elias and Abraha for thir civility and clearing the air. We need your togetherness for our common goal.

    We are enough to remove EPRDF criminals if we agree to work together. We do not even need the contribution from the small group shabia. We are enough to stablise our country and the horn.

  17. I would like to thank both of u. Elias, i didn’t know much about u before i attend the debate. Without a doubt love Ethiopia. God bless u. But u need to control ur emotions to listen when others who love Ethiopia try their best, i think u fell that ur way is the only best way. hat is what we call ” ye Ethiopiawian Gitirinet” There were some facts u should have rightaway appreciate about Abreha. We should develop our culture of appreciation too.
    Ato abreha…u look so cool and u know more evil things of woyane….only the knowledge can’t produce anything fruitful. You should have proposed atleast one plan of action. If u r just to tel us what u know about EPRDF, ofcourse u will have more readers and more income. Use ur knowledge to counter attack the evil. Beyond a doubt i do beleive that U will work together With Elias and mobilize us for further struggle. Am proud of u both.
    God bless u

  20. If you cannot stand the fire, get out the kitchen – yes, there has to be reasonable firey debate and need to be have continuous discussion. More importantly, we need to support Ethiopian Satellite TV’s effort. That is how information could reach across the ocean to the silent majority.

  21. it is a good start. keep it up.but u have to be so careful that u will not make some ethiopian oppositions angered b/c they also sacrified their life including prof.asrat,birtukan….

  22. Just a reply to the person who called himself:”Justice.” Please stay true to your name. First of all why did you evade your true name? I know no Eritrean by that name. Probably a Kenyan! I do not believe you are a Kenyan, however. If you really want to be just to your readers, please give your true name. As long as you can defend your thoughts, there is no need to evade your name from your readers.
    Let me come to my core point: You were not fair with Abreha Belay! Please give us a foot note for your statement that alleges that Abreha Belay hates Eritreans. If you fail to do so, you have done injustice. Where did he say that he hates Shaabia more than he hates The Sibhat-Meles mafia? Please provide us with a footnote. If you cannot, you have lied big. Just to correct you, sir, Abreha believes the self-calling Woyane of today and Shaabia are two faces of a coin. He does not prefer one to the other. He wants both smashed to the dust, for they are irreparably wicked.
    Abreha’s point is that you cannot trust Shaabia as much as Meles and co. Let me have your attention at once to this fact: If Meles and Isayas are enemies at this moment, why? I believe it is over Badme primarily. If we agree on this assumption, what does it take for the friendship to be restored? I say to hand “Badme” to Isayas! And Meles is willing to give away Badme as he did to Beshir of Sudan and Djibouti for the sole purpose of crippling any work by any opposition from that side. Also, please note that there is a reciprocal expectation when one government helps the other. Shaabia cannot be free from this. I just pray that Elias and Co. will not promise Isayas as TPLF did to give away Ethiopia’s economy and sovereignty. Eritrea opted to break away from Ethiopia and we wish it to stand by that. Hazi-daa!

  23. some of the above comments who deliberatly gloss over the henious crime commited by I.A against Ethiopian public ,be it through derect or indirect means, are political novices.I.A is the architect and prime promoter of ethino -cetrist political idealogy in the region.Ethiopia’s problem needs solution by all citiznes involved.That means all segments of Ethiopian society need to engage in dialogue.Any idea that by pass this important step and attempt to rely on I.A to tackle the nations problem is tracherous and delusional.

  24. I did not miss both the football and the debate , of course muting the BBC commentator from south Africa. the debate was great and civilised, but more than any thing else Elias Kifle was in excellent shape as usual, up front, confident, fearless and bold. the only man i ever known who could call a spade is a spade with out hiding any grudges on the side is Elias Kifle.

    To begin with removing ER from any Ethiopian websites including that of Ethiomedia links was not only childish but also amateurish, nonetheless it is back on now is something needs to be praised.

    Any way from an Eritrean point of view , i could not understand what drives Abrha Belay to generate that much hate towards Eritreans. as we all know the border conflict has consumed and claimed precious lives on both sides. but singling out and highlighting the Ayder school incident out of all that disaster could not be justified by any measure at all, except for it being designed to exploit the sensitive emotions of tigrayans. come on abrha what was the woyanie air force killing in Masawa and Asmara airports ? please do not tell me they were fighting locusts invasion ? here i am not condoning the lose of innocent pupil’s life for no apparent reason at all, but at the same time i would like to stress that there is always the other side story. plus we all know that war is a dirty bsns and things never go smooth on war , it always claims innocent lives.

    My second point is abrha belay as usual was trying to make us believe that Eritrea is controlled by Shaebia led by Isaias and Ethiopia is controlled by another Shaebia led by meles zenawi. and as abrha always put it, the difference between Isaias and meles is they fight over who is better for Eritrea. lolll that is the joke of the century , who are you trying to fool here ato abrha ? and if your wild logic is true why are Eritreans suffering right now ? why is Eritrea forced to mobilise its all able bodies to guard from any crazy invasion of woyanie ? why we Eritreans are under immense pressure to guard the nation and support our family at the same time ? if we had two shaebia leaders , one in Addis and one in Asmara i thought we would have much easiest life than what we are experimenting now. but thanks to TPLF, the Eritrean internal policies are at the moment dictated by the clueless woyanie and its masters from Washington. how ever thanks to the real Shaebia in Asmara we shall over come this obstacles.

    PEACE TO THE PEACE LOVING PEOPLE OF ERITREA AND ETHIOPIA.

  26. The best tool TPLF has is Shaebia, and vise versa. They both feed on each other’s unpopularity in their respective side of the Mereb, which in turn helps them stay on power. There has to be something and somewhere other than Shaebia, if we were to be successful in removing Weyane. Otherwise we will be nothing more than a propaganda pool which Weyane uses in order to stay clinging on power. Besides, we wouldn’t be talking about Woyane in Ethiopia if it wasn’t for Shaebia. Woyane and Shaebia are two sides of the same coin, and joined at the hip for their hate of Ethiopia.

  27. what ever the issue and what ever the opinion one might have, Ethiopia and Ethiopians have won “the debate”, Thank you Elias!!! The ethno-fascists and ethno-centrists are the loosers. The so calleed journalist and appologists of the ethno-fascists has been exposed for everyone to see it!!! Thanks God because nothing will save the ethno-fascists and their appologists!!!

  28. Hello Elias and Abraha,

    Although both of you decided not to support me in my relentless struggle through my publications for Ethiopia, its voiceless, powerless and hopeless nation, I always visited your sites and also listenened to your recent debates with great interest during which I was in support of and been critic of both of you on various points.

    Any way, I hope you two hereafter do your utmost to put more, genuine, patriotic and united efforts towards the good causes that you both preached and promised the general public.

    As the says goes too, “If Everything That Has A Beginning Must Have An End.Yes, your beginnings sounded to be somewhat good and I hope it would last to bring fruitful and good changes for all of us and our country’s future.

    Please delete the previous incomplete post sent under Liberty. The name Liberty was already there hence I clicked submit by mistake. I thank you all.

  29. Elias:

    So now he is not a woyanne and you are not a shabia :)…those child games are over! I apploud you for taking these steps!

    What we Ethiopians are unable to do is to disagree without destroying eachother…that is one of the major problems that make us dysfunctional. You two have started working on it! That’s great!

  30. We are pleased to inform our viewers that ESAT is back on air with a powerful signal. The ESAT team has worked hard to resolve the interference problem in the past weeks. We would also like to thank our viewers and supporters for all encouraging phone calls and e-mail messages.

    We ask our viewers and supporters to continue with financial as well as moral support. Together we shall overcome the challenge before us. Below is the new frequency.

    Frequency: 11976
    Polarization: Vertical,
    Symbol rate: 27.5
    FEC: 3/4.

  31. This is a reply to Liberty:

    Look my brother, I wish Eritrea did not sucede from its mother land, Ethiopia. Ethiopians did not do any thing but some bad elite may have done injustice. But what Meles the devil and his eleder brother Esayas have done is to brain wash Tigreans and Eritreans to hate innocent Ethiopians. The only choice Ethiopians have is to hang both men at Meskel square and unite the two lands bring peace and brotherhood again. This is if Ethiopians forgive Eritireans for what the latter have done when Woyane marched to Addis with out a fight. Woyane is a coward gang – they never did fight the Ethiopian army, they killed our brothers because they dealt with corrupt dergue members who passed information to Woyane croaches. Shabia also killed our brothers it is the same as the croaches. But believe me, the water is boiling no matter what Woyane and Shabia are doing, they will be cooked in the same water that is boiling under their feet. They think they control the economy, the politics and religion. But they really do not. They are hated every where. Both croaches will go the grave when the time comes. All the woyane members who died and burried at Holy Trinity church have to be dug out because that place is for heroes and heroines of Ethiopia not for those wanted for crimes of humanity.

  32. I just finished listening the debate of Elias and Abrha’s on audio. Although, Mr. Abraha was polite with his speeches, he was a joke. I felt I was getting a lecture from Woyane’s undercover. Sheabia is not the one who is killing the Ethiopian people, selling Ethiopian fertile land to foreigners, it is the TPLF. This includes Seye and Gobru. I will reinforce the comment made from the commentator #5 “Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me…” now we know why he removed Ethiopian review from his web, it is because he hates sheabia. I guess he feels sheabia is exposing woyane and that he resented Elias, for Elias is continue to enlighten many misinformed Ethiopian brothers and sisters about the stand point of the Eritrean government in regards to Ethiopian issue. The reason why I felt he is woyanne’s undercover is that Mr. Abraha is spreading wild allegation and animosity, knowingly, against the Eritrean government. Mr. Abraha is aiming to discourage people from joining the army struggle and he is hopping people will doubt about the movement of TPDM, EPPF, ONLF, ONF,… since those forces maintain close friendship with the Eritrea government. The funny part is Mr. Abraha was kept saying Eritrea is harboring “Tsere Ethipionia Hailoch”. To me this smells woyanne’s plan. But it will not work.

    Now, let us be honest Mr Abraha. You are talking about Eritrea; saying that Eritrea is not a democratic country. What is democracy, Mr. Abraha? Can democracy be considered democracy when a government to let bunches of immature journalists, whom don’t even have AAA in journalism, to run around freely while they are publishing inaccurate information again and again? If that is democracy we rathere stay with what we have right not. What is wrong with the government who says to the youth to build their country without waiting for an outside assistance? It is really laughable, I mean really laughable. Eritrea may not have had a fake election, like in Ethiopia, but mind you, if Eritrean government conducts an election today, president Isaias would easily win the election. When you go to Eritreans and ask the people about their government, if it’s not more, 90% of the population will tell you they are happy with the way the governing is making progress in all sectors. If the same question asked to the Ethiopian people about Woyane, that number would shrank to 3% . Because the Ethiopian government is known for killing its own people in a broad-day-light, and for its narrow mentality and ethnic based policy . From what I could understand, Mr. Abraha hats the woyane government for a simple reason; it is because some of the leaders (like Bereket Simon, Meles Zenawi, samuray Yonus) have an Eritrean blood in them. His hatred is to the people with an Eritrean blood, not what woyane is doing in Ethiopian.
    Mr. Abraha has referred a South Africa style of struggle. Help me in here folks, Perhaps I am missing something in her. He is advocating demonstration in Ethiopia. He saying people should demonstrate without giving-up any hope; even if the government kills or arrests, people should still do it anyway. Ok, but who is going to do that if Mr. Abraha lives in Seattle? Certainly Mr. Elias doesn’t believe in demonstration, as Mr. Elias is very much aware of the consequence of demonstration in Ethiopian. Demonstration in Ethiopia is like swimming in a shark infested sea without any protection. Mr. Elias believes in arm struggle, thus he showed his support by traveling to the field . Mr. abraha supports demonstration, but had he ever went to Ethiopia to conduct demonstration?
    And secondly, South African is still under white control; economically and militarily. Although very few black South Africans are gaining some wealth, the majority black South Africans are in a deep poverty, so what is the point demonstration if the plan it just to replace Meles with Seye?

  33. Elias, you were our last rejectionist, now you’re compromised. You’ve become damaged goods. What a pity! Why on God’s good earth would you want to debate this guy Belay. Don’t you know the woyane mentality? You’re trying to outsmart them. You could do that, but outsmarting them means having a dialogue with them. What you should do is reject them in toto. They’re dying for any kind of legitimacy to create a semblance of normalcy. To do that they have spread themselves all over the place, including the opposition camp. Please come back to the rejectionist camp!

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